Current motor



H. ALLES.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. a, 1920.

Pmi/antw Oct. 3L 21922.

4 SHEETS-saam l.

ATTORNEY H. ALLES.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLlcAnoN HLED Nov. 3. |920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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.H. ALLES. CURRENT Moron.

I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 3. |920. '35484,357; Emma oct. 31, w22.,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR. HENRY A L LES.

BYCM.

ATTORNEY H. ALLES.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 3. 1920A l @4535'27., Patented 001;. 3L 1922..

4 sIIEzTs-sIIEn 4.

INVENTOR HUI/RY ALLES.

BY CMJ'M ATTORNEY Patented @et 3i, 31922.

STATES PATENT." CQFFHCE.

HENRY ALLES, OF SAN FRANCSCO, CALFORNIA.

CURRENT MOTOR.

Application filed November 3, 1920. Serial No. 421,484.

To all fte/0721.272? may concern.' Referring more particularly to the draw- Be it known that HENRY ALLES, a citizen ings, indicates a pontoon adapted to be of the United States, residing at city and floated within a river or other stream of county of San Francisco and State of Calirunning water, and anchored in position by 5 fornia, has invented new and useful Im- Cable 11, secured to an immovable object 12. 60 provements in Current Motors, of which the 13 and 14 indicate other pontoons disposed following is a speeiiication. across the stream and a distance lower down, This invention relates to a current motor, which pontoons are suitably secured together and particularly pertains to improvements and are anchored to relatively fixed members l0 in motors of the class shown in my Patent 15 by cables 16. Members 12 and 15 are large 65 1,014,930, granted January 16,1912. concrete blocks formed with eye bolts in It is the principal object ofthe present intheir upper surfaces to which the cables may vention to provide a current motor which be secured. The pontoons are designed to be may be readily positioned across a ruiming used to support a current motor. Parallel 15 stream in a manner to insure that the impact shafts 17 and 1S are provided, and are 70 of the water against the blades thereof will mounted upon the pontoons. These shafts be at desirable angles to the surface thereof, are carried within bearings 19, secured upon and that this impact shall be transferred into suitable frame work of the pontoons. In the a rotary motion by which power can be proadjustable form of the invention sprockets duced. 20 and 21 are mounted on the shafts and 75 The invention contemplates the use of carry parallel sprocket chains 22 and 23. parallel operating shafts mounted upon suit- The construction of the sprockets is more able pontoons or other floats in a stream of clearly indicated in Figs. 3 and 7, where they water, said shafts carrying sprockets upon will be seen to be built up from segments 25 which parallel chains are carried, the chains 24:, which members are bolted together to S0 in turn being fitted with impulse blades form a composite wheel. adapted to extend into thc water along the The sprocket chains are formed with iat lower run of the chain, said sprockets being links 25, and specially designed links 2G, so designed as to permit the impulse blades which members are secured by chain pins 27.

` The links 2G have outwardly extending lugs 85 3@ to assume desired angular relation to the parallel chains. 28 formed on one of their sides to receive a The invention is illustrated by way of exshackle member 29, and a channeled mount ample in the accompanying drawings, in ing 30 is secured to the shackle member, and which: I is intended to receive the edge of impulse Fig. 1 is a view in plan, showing the comblade 31. These impulse blades are metal 90 pletely assembled current motor with parts or wood and are preferably iiexible, so that broken away for the sake of convenience. they may be distorted and otherwise adapted Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation showing to the adjustment ony the machine. The opthe assembled current motor supported upon posite ends of the impulse blades are thus pontoons. rigidly secured within the channel members 95 Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation showing 30, carried by the parallel chains, and when the motor, and partially disclosing the arthe machine is assembled the chains are so rangement ofthe impulse blades therein. disposed. as to support the blades at right Fig. 4t is a fragmental view in perspective angles thereto, and without iexure. showing one ot' the chain links. and the manln order to permit disposal of the impulse 100 ner of securing an impulse blade thereto. blades at angles to a stream in which they Fig. 5 is a fragmental view in perspective are operating, while varying the relative showing a portion of the chain to which the angular positions of the sprocket wheels to impulse blades are connected. each other on the shafts 17 and 18 without Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation showing interrupting the driving action thereof, a 105 one of the sprocket wheels. spider 32 is provided. This spider is rigidly Fig. 7 is a view in elevation showing one secured to the shafts 17 and 18, at a point of the flexible impulse blades. midway between the sprockets thereon.

Fig. 8 is a View in section and elevation spider comprises a plurality of radial arms 55 disclosing one of the adjusting sleeves. 33, at the outer ends of which links 3st are 1Mb mounted. These links are universally jointed to brackets 35 carried on the inner face of the sprockets.

By referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the members 34 are in pairs extending diametrically opposite from the arms upon which they are supported, and it will be evident that in the event the sprockets are rotated relative to each other they will be moved toward or away from each other, depending upon the action. This movement of the sprockets toward and away from each other will. also be accompanied by a relative rotation of the sprockets, one forwardly and the other rearwardly as they are moved. This will lact to shift the points of blade mountings along the chains and cause the impulse blades to be turned. The blades will at the same time be disposed at an angle to the plane of the chains, and will thus make it possible to adjust the current motor to the direction of the flow of the stream.

Manipulation of the sprocket wheels 2O and 21 is brought about by operating mechanism comprising a hand-wheel 36, mounted upon a shaft 37. This shaft extends horizontally through bearings 38, and is fitted with a bevel gear 39 adapted to mesh with a similar bevel gear 40 freely rotatable upon shaft 17. Keyed to the gear 40, or formed integrally therewith is an enlarged spur gear 41, around which are arranged pinions 42 in mesh therewith. Pinions 42 are fixed upon the ends of screws 43, which extend parallel to each other, and along opposite sides of the shaft 17. A shifting bar 44 is formed with threaded openings in its opposite ends through which the screws 43 extend thisA bar also engages a shifting sleeve 45 in a manner to prevent longitudinal movement of the sleeve without retarding its' rotation. The sleeve is splined onto the shaft 17. This sleeve is fitted with a plurality of links 46, which connect with lever arms 47. The lever arms are secured rigidly to radially extending shafts 48. These shafts have their mountings within a spider 49. This spider is held against longitudinal movement upon the shaft 17, but is free'to rotate therewith. The upper ends of the shafts 48 are bent to form crank arms 50, to which are secured connectinglinks 51. These links are provided with a universal connection to the crank arms 50. and also with universal connections to brackets 52 extending outwardly from the sprocket wheels. It will thus be evident that by movement ofthe sleeve 45 the shafts 48 may be rotated and this movement inv turn transmitted through the crank arms 50 and the connecting links 51, to draw the sprocket wheels toward or away from the spider. y

By reference to F ig. 1 it will be seen that each of the sprocket wheels is fitted with a shifting mechanism comprising the various .links and levers carried by the spider 49, and the operating sleeve 45. The mechanism upon the opposite end of shaft 17 is actuated byka transverse shaft 53, driven from the shaft 37 through beveled gears 54 and 55, and transmitting motion to a shaft 37 through gears 56 and 57. Shaft 37 is parallel to the shaft 37, and is fitted with the bevel gear 39 in engagement with gear 40 upon the shaft. An operating mechanism identical with that described for shaft 17 is used in connection with shaft 18. These two mechanisms are intended to operate in synchronism. This is brought about by a connecting` chain 58, which is led around a sprocket 59 at one end and a sprocket 60 at its opposite end. The sprockets 59 and 60 are secured to vertical shafts 61 and 62 respectively, the opposite ends of which shafts are fitted with bevel gears 63 in mesh with gears 64 upon the operating shafts. 37. By this means it is possible to simultaneously adjust both of the sprocket wheels relative to the shafts upon which they are' mounted.

In order to support the run of chain against sagging a frame structure 65 is provided. This structure comprises uprights 66 extending verticallyalong the opposite sides of the chain and connected at their upper and lower ends by cross bar 67. This frame carries rollers 68 adapted to be positioned beneath the upper and lower runs of the chain and support the same. Eye bolts 69 are mounted at the top of the frame and through these eye bolts tension cables 70 eX- tend. The cables are secured to a cross frame member 71 of one of the pontoons and are led around idler sheaves 72, carried upon the opposite cross frame member 71. Both of the cables are then led to a tightening drum 73. By this means a desired tension can be given to the cable, and the weight of the sagging chain supported accordingly.

In operation of the present invention, the current motor is assembled as shown in the drawings, and may thereafter be disposed diagonally orY straight across a stream of running water. When the proper diagonal position has been attained it is desirable to adjust the impulse blades 31 so that they will stand at angles to the direction of flow of the water, so that force of the stream throughout its width may be utilized in driving the motor. This is brought about by rotation of the hand wheel 36. The sleeves' on each shaft are moved toward each other, thus acting through the spiders 49 and the attendant levers to shift the sprocket wheels inwardly, and to produce a like movement upon each side of the spider 32. As this shifting movement takes place the link mem-y bers 34 upon the ends of arms 33 will rotate around the arms 33, one end moving forward and the other moving rearwardly. This will ect to rotate Aone of the sprockets in one direc.

tion around its shaft, and the other sprocket in a reverse direction around the same shaft. The result will be that one chain will be advanced and the other one retracted, thus placing the impulse blades 31 at an angle to the sprocket chains. It will be understood that like advancement will take place on both of the shafts', and that by proper manipulation of the hand wheel the inpulseblades may be disposed with their faces directly at right angles to the stream of water if desired.

flllien this arrangement is brought about it will be recognized that the blades will be arranged substantially across the stream with one blade in the rear of the next succeeding blade and off-set therefrom, so that each of the blades will be struck by a portion-of the stream without obstruction from the blade in front thereof.

Due to the offset formation of link 29 the blades may easily swing while the chains pass around the sprockets, this preventing damage to the blades or binding of the chain. v Y

It will thus be seen that by providing a currentmotor as here disclosed, and disposing it with the impulse blades of its lower run of chain within a steam of water and with the surfaces and blades at angles to said flow, a maximum amount of power may be obtained from the flowing stream and converted into useful rotary movement through the shafts 17 and 18, at the same time insuring that under varying conditions and requirements the current motor may be adjusted to efliciently operate.

Vhile I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it will be 'understood that various changes in the combination, construction and arrangement ofl parts may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A current motor comprising a plurality of impulse blades, parallel chains to which the opposite ends of said blades are secured, sprocket wheels over which said chains pass, parallel shafts upon which thc sprocket wheels are freely mounted, a driving spider interposed between the sprocket wheels on each of said shafts, and articulate means for imparting movement from said sprockets to said spider.

2. A current motor comprising a plurality of impulse blades, parallel chains to which the opposite ends of said blades are secured, sprocket wheels over which said chains pass, parallel shafts upon which the sprocket wheels are freely mounted, a driving spider interposed between the sprocket wheels on each of said shafts, and articulate means for imparting movement to said sprockets from said spider, and means for longitudinally moving said sprockets along their respective shafts.

3. A current motor comprising a pair of parallel rotatable shafts, a pair of sprocket wheels carried by each of said shafts, sprocket chains led around the complementary sprocket wheels onthe two shafts, impulse blades secured to the sprocket chains and disposed there between, means carried by the shaft between the sprocket wheels for imparting motion to the separate sprockets on each shaft in opposite directions, and means for imparting motion to the shafts irrespective of the relative positons of the sprockets.

4. A current motor comprising a pair of parallel shafts, a driving spider secured midway the length of each shaft, a pair of sprockets freely mounted upon the shafts at the opposite sides of the spiders, articulate traveling connections between the sprockets and the spiders, sprocket chains leading over the complementary sprockets of the two shaft impulse blades secured by their opposite ends to the adjacent faces of the chains, and means for changing the relative relation of the sprocket chains to each other in order to change the angular position o the blades and without disturbing the delivery of power from the chains to the shafts.

5. .A current motor comprising a pair of rotatable shafts, spaced sprockets mounted thereon, for longitudinal movement and having parallel chains trained thereover, impulse blades disposed between the chains, and means interposed between the sprocket wheels for imparting reverse rotary motion to the sprocket wheels with relation to cach other when the sprocket wheels are moved longitudinally of the shaft.

6. A current motor comprising spaced pontoons, a rotary shaft on each pontoon in parallel relation, a pair of interspaced sprocket wheels mounted on each shaft for rotary and longitudinal motion and a paral-` lel chain trained over one sprocket on each of the shafts, impulse blades secured to the parallel chains and lying between the same and means on. each shaft between the sprocket wheels for imparting reverse rotary motion thereto with relation to each other when the sprocket wheels are moved longitudinally of the shafts, to adjust the angular position of the impulse blades.

7. A current motor comprising a pair of parallel spaced chains, a series of flexible impulse blades connected at their opposite ends to and between said chains, sprockets upon which said chains are mounted, shafts upon which they are free to rotate and move longitudinally, means for simultaneously Y adjusting the sprockets ciicuinifei'entially CIK and longitudinally of their shafts, and moving the sprockets toward and away from each other, and articulate traveling connections between the vsprockets and thel shafts whereby 'movement may be imparted from tliesprockets to the shafts, irrespective yof their 'adjusted positions;

S. A current motor comprising a pairvof rotatable shafts, a :driving spider'secured intermediate the ends of each of said shafts, articulate driving` means secured at the outer ends ot said spiderl arms, said means extending in `oppositedirections from each otherA and parallel. tothe shafts, `sprocket wheels, one of which is artioulately secured to each or" said driving` connections,y ksaid wheels being freely rotatable upon the shafts andlongitudinally movable relative thereto, sprocket chains leading around complementary sprockets on the two shafts and dis posed in parallel relation to each other, flexible impulse blades disposed between chains and connected by their oppositeends thereto7 and means or'simultaneously adjusting` .all 'of the sprocket wheels Aaxially and rotatably upon their shafts whereby the blades will be iiexed to assume angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis ofthe shafts.

9. A current motorcomprising a pair ofv rotatable shafts, a driving spider secured intermediate the ends of each of said-shafts, articulate driving means secured at the outer ends ofvsaid spidery arms, said means extendingin opposite directions fromy each other and Yparallel to the shafts, sprocket wheels, one of 'which is articulatelylsecurefd to each of said drivingv connections, "said wheels being freely rotatable upon the shafts and longitudinally'movable relative thereto,

sprocket chains leading around complementary sprockets onvtlie two shafts and disposed in parallelrelation to each other, ex-

, HENRY -iinnii'si 

